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saw greenbrier

saw greenbrier

Smilax bona-nox

vine part shade💧💧 moderate waterZone 5aZone 9b

A thorny, deciduous vine native to the southeastern United States that climbs by tendrils and produces small greenish flowers followed by blue-black berries attractive to wildlife. It thrives in part shade and is useful for covering structures, though its sharp thorns require careful placement away from high-traffic areas.

Overview

Form
Climbing
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
6–4′ tall
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate

Flood Tolerance

moderate
Zone 5aZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 5a to Zone 9b

pH Range

4.58.5
7.0
3.556.589
pH range: 4.5 to 8.5

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium, Fine

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Succession Role

early successionalmid successional

Native to the United States

Native Range

Southeastern United States

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia

Function & Care

edibleerosion controlwildlife benefit

Edible Parts

rootshoot

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
3 years
Propagation
seed, cutting, division, root cutting